Delhi govt restricts leaves of officials to ensure waterlogging-free monsoon

In a bid to ensure a waterlogging-free monsoon, the Delhi government has restricted leave for officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department until September 15, officials said on Saturday.

An order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) stated that no leave of any kind will be sanctioned for junior engineers and senior officials until mid-September, except in cases of extreme medical emergencies.

“With the monsoon approaching, work must be carried out on a war footing to complete the desilting of drains, prevent waterlogging and flooding, repair roads, and clear debris and silt from roads and drains across the city,” the order noted.

Over recent years, authorities have identified more than 400 waterlogging hotspots across Delhi. Tackling the issue has remained a challenge due to aging drainage systems and silt accumulation. Last year, the problem turned tragic when three students died after being trapped in a flooded basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar.

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Water and PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said that desilting of the 1,400 km of drains under PWD’s jurisdiction is targeted for completion by May 31. Other civic agencies are also working on cleaning drains under their control.

Verma added that engineers have been assigned as in-charges at nearly 345 key waterlogging spots managed by PWD, warning that strict action will be taken against those who fail in their responsibilities.

To strengthen preparedness, the government has deployed automatic pumps, with operators working in shifts, to swiftly tackle any water accumulation during heavy rains.

The monsoon typically begins in Delhi towards the end of June.

(With inputs from PTI)